CANTON, Ohio – The Malone University women's lacrosse team opened up Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play on Thursday afternoon with a matchup against the University of Findlay. The Oilers (2-8, 1-0 G-MAC) were able to defeat the Pioneers (5-4, 0-1 G-MAC) by a score of 13-5.
 
Findlay outshot Malone 38-10 in the contest and took advantage of a 34-24 difference in turnovers. The Pioneers were 12-of-23 on clear attempts compared to 13-of-15 for the Oilers. Findlay cruised to a 16-5 win in draw controls in the game.
 
Malone got on the board first thanks to a man up free position score by Abbey Burns just over two minutes in. The Oilers would score in the same manner a few possessions later. Alana Samek found the back of the net around with seven minutes to play in the first quarter, but Findlay led 3-2 through 15 minutes.
 
The second quarter would be sloppy for both sides as the Oilers went into halftime ahead 5-3. The teams combined for 19 turnovers in the frame and the Pioneers were just 1-for-8 on clear attempts.
 
In the third quarter, Findlay held Malone scoreless through the first 12 minutes before Cam English found a cutting Burns for a goal. Through the third quarter, the Oilers remained in front, 8-4.
 
The pace ground to a halt in the fourth quarter, but Meg Ridgway broke through for a score under seven minutes to play to make it 8-5. The Pioneers stayed close, but in the final four minutes, the Oilers would make the scoreboard look much more lopsided than the game truly was with five unanswered goals.
 
Sommer-Jo Grieser (4-4) made nine saves on 32 shots faced. Sydney Atkinson made one save in her limited time in net. English led the way on offense with three total points. Burns and Cambrie Neuenschwander caused two turnovers each.
 
Conference play continues for Malone on Saturday, March 22 at 1:00 P.M. versus the Northwood University Timberwolves.